The Bathroom line is not bad at all before race start. Notice the Guys line is longer than the Gals line! This is not typical in life, but has been the case for the 3 trail runs Ive participated in!
This is the Start of the race, and later the Finish!
At the beginning you get to stay warm by a fire, or more modern- space heaters!
December 10, 2011
I got an icky head cold just in time for my December Trail Race. I figured Id be okay…usually congestion seems to clear up for awhile when I run. I was okay but found my nose dripping like a faucet the entire race. This distracted from my fun a little, but luckily I still managed to have ALLOT of funJ
I hate bonking so my typical strategy is to start out conservatively. Then when I am half way through with the race I speed up a little if I am feeling pretty good. The closer I get to the end, the faster I let myself go.
This was my 3rd trail race now, so Im starting to get a little better feel for what I can do. The first 2 races I felt in the beginning like I could keep up a sub-10 average pace. This time I had more confidance and felt that I could keep a sub 9:30 pace.
I try not to look at my watch pace allot because with trail running you have to roll with the terrain. Dig in to the up hill, and then fly on the down hill. Hold some momentum, and get up the next hill. So I think more about my perceived exertion. In the beginning I ask myself, is this a level of exertion that I can keep up for a long time?
But I did go out a little bit harder this time. With my new confidance I felt that I could start out a little less conservative. I also thought that it would be cold, and that I would need to be speedy to stay warm. It was warmer than I expected and I would’ve traded my long sleeve tech shirt for a short sleeve one. But I didn’t regret my tights. They seemed right.
At one point a guy came flying by me and the guy running just in front of me. Passer guy said “On your left please”. After making these 2 passes he took a hard fall. His pride got him back up quickly and he sped off.
I had to pull off at an aide station to ask for tissue. When I pulled off, three women passed me. I would later regain them and pass them.
When I had 4 or 5 miles left I decided I had enough energy to kick in an extra gear. And then when I was just about to the last mile I decided to really cruise. Just as I had decided to make my final sprint- the terrain turned into total steep up hill. I mean the kind of up hill you almost need a rope! So there was no last mile sprint to the finish.
I ended my 15.5 miles with an 8:59 average. 2:19:17 on my watch.
The view was beautiful the whole time. Big blue sky and mountains all around. So nice to be out in nature surrounded by the beautiful outdoors. My trail running experiences have fully converted me to the beauty of Arizona. Ill admit that for many years after moving here from Utah, I had a negative opinion of desert landscape. But I Love, Love the landscapes I’ve been running in over the past few months. Love. Look forward to. Love.
These were the trophies for winners. I coveted. Look how cute!!! Colorful ceramic chickens!
***I never got around to reporting on my November Trail Race. Pass Mountain. Usery Park. It was great. It started out easy and then lots of challenging climbing and then runners were rewarded with SPECTACULAR views from the top of Pass Mountain. And then some crazy down hill. Pass Mountain was a little scary as I realized that at times if I got my footing wrong I might go off a drop. And I was going fast anyway. Just hoping for the best. There was some thrill in the danger…anyhow GREAT race!!!
At the end of each of my 3 trail races I have received a finisher glass. They all say the name of the race. I love my new glass collection!!!I wish I had a ceramic chicken, but I am happy to have a fun drinking glass.
